“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there’s love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald
When it comes down to it, the truth is…. I love every school that attends Shady Creek! I have been accused in the past of saying that every week is my favorite week and there is definitely some truth in that. However, due to the fact that we are based out of Yuba City, my heart does belong to the schools and students that surround that area. Over two years ago when COVID hit the world, it was devastating to everyone, everywhere in every way possible. The Shady Creek program was no exception. During that time I spent a lot of days and nights questioning if we would ever come back and if we did……. what would that even look like? But in all the chaos and uncertainty I was reminded of the virtue of perseverance….the will to carry on. The act of patiently pursuing our goals and remaining steadfast and focused. In all of the efforts to reopen Shady Creek, there most definitely have been obstacles that have challenged us, but together we have overcome. There have been many tests along the way, but we are determined to succeed. This past week at Shady Creek was the ULTIMATE payoff of all of our hard work and perseverance as we welcomed back schools from Yuba City Unified.
Week #5 of the Shady Creek fall season welcomed back students from Lincrest and Riverbend! I have been looking forward to serving these schools since we reopened Shady Creek last spring……. And I am so happy the day finally arrived. The students and teachers were AMAZING! There was so much joy on campus all week, it was everywhere….. Yuba City kids were finally back at camp! Most weeks it takes a day or two to get the campers to “buy in” to the music and culture of Shady Creek….. these kids were ready to rage by the moment they arrived to camp. That’s the beauty of serving Yuba City students, the Shady Creek culture is already a part of who they are. It’s been passed down from older siblings, parents, grandparents and friends that have attended the program throughout the past 65 years. Just think about it…. Have you or anyone in your family/friends attended the Woodleaf/Shady Creek program over the years? What a legacy! It’s a legacy that I am so proud to be a part of and….. even more proud to keep alive.
I have decided to attach a photo that is near and dear to my heart. My turbulent home life forced me to move a lot as a child and by the time I graduated high school, I had attended 13 schools total. But, for 4th,5th and 6th grade I was a proud Oakdale Eagle. In my time at Oakdale there was only ONE student that I shared a class with every year, and that student was Lindsay. You may know her as Lindsay Linker, but I just refer to her as “Little Lindsay”. She was a constant in my crazy home and school life and all these years later I am so honored that she is a part of my SCSOS family. Thanks Lindsay for your kindness all of those years ago!
Director Chris Little (Yeti)
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